Is it pride?

I really enjoy my walks to and from work. (It helps that it only takes 15 minutes ;) My route takes me through the original (can't really call it 'old') part of town - so I get to enjoy a variety of the many mature trees along the way. As I heard once, cardinals are at home in or by mature trees. So I was not surprised when I heard the sweet trill of this red bird on my way into work this morning.

There are not too many birds that I can identify by sound, but the cardinal is one of them. I immediately stopped and looked around - trying to find it. It didn't take me long to spot the bright red beauty atop the peak of a yellow brick century home. Such a beautiful bird with such a pleasant voice! There he was, standing where everyone could see and hear him. He is so lucky to have both physical beauty and a great voice and he knows it too! The thought suddenly struck me - he's quite proud of himself! Well, the nerve of him to think he's so much better than the other birds! Wait a second, I tell myself, is it really pride? Or is he just looking and sounding and being as God created Him? Would it be better if he hid away and called out softly so very few could hear him? I wouldn't think him proud then, but then again, I probably wouldn't notice him at all. I wouldn't be able to appreciate his beauty or hear his song. Is that better?

How often do I hide out of fear of what others might think of me? What are the beautiful things about me that God has given for me to share with others? And what do I see in the people around me? What beauty are they showing and giving that I am missing or ignoring? What beauty are they hiding that I can help them discover and share with the world?

My challenge to myself and you today is to look for and celebrate the beauty around you!